Method and apparatus for keeping a shirt collar aligned and secured, magnetically, against a shirt front, with a decorative collar link assembly

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for securing a shirt collar in a desired position and orientation, magnetically, against a shirt front, using a decorative collar link assembly. The decorative collar link apparatus is an assembly that includes a decorative cap assembled to a single base magnet thereby attachable to an outside surface of a shirt collar, aligned opposite a separate single magnet placed against the inside surface of a shirt, wherein the decorative collar link assembly on the outside of a shirt is magnetically attachable to the inside magnet through the shirt material, for securing the shirt collar in the selected position and orientation. There are no pins or other interlocking devices as the collar links are held in place strictly via opposing magnet forces of attraction. The decorative collar link cap surface can be any material, design pattern, insignia, logo, emblem, or finish that would be typically construed as visually appealing and thereby add to the fashionable sense of the aligned and magnetically secured shirt collar.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for keeping a shirtcollar properly aligned and secured, magnetically, with a decorativecollar link assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The inability to keep a shirt collar properly aligned and positionedagainst a shirt front, has been an ongoing problem. Solutions to thisproblem involving magnetic devices have been attempted. Reference inthis regard, Boos U.S. Pat. No. 8,108,948 entitled Method and Apparatusfor Keeping a Shirt Collar Aligned and Fastened, Magnetically, whichutilizes an elongated stainless steel strip inserted into the collar andheld in place with a magnet. A shortcoming is that the said collar stayis concealed and without an outward displayed decorative element offersno additional visual appeal to the aligned and fastened shirt collar.Barnes U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,602 entitled Decorative Magnetic Collar Link,utilizes a decorative, detachable/attachable outwardly visible magnetictop collar link portion, and a concealed collar bottom link portion. Thetop piece contains two magnets arranged to be attracted to magnets ofthe bottom body, which has two magnets and a nose and buttconfiguration, such that when the top piece is set on top of a collarwith the bottom piece positioned directly underneath the collar, the topand bottom pieces are locked together via the magnetic attraction. Thetop piece provides a bridge for placement of a customized logo, whichcan be affixed thereto by a pin. A shortcoming of said design is thatmultiple magnets are required for holding each collar, which makes thedevice hefty as well as weighty. Still further, no provision isdisclosed for attachment of a collar to a shirt front. This can be ashortcoming where it is desired for the collar of a shirt to bepositioned at a certain location on and in relation to the front of ashirt, and/or a certain orientation, for achieving a particular look.

Other devices utilizing magnetics are also known. Reference in thisregard, Ellis U.S. Pat. No. 2,397,931, which discloses a magnetic buttonincluding two associated parts having the general appearance of anordinary button, which are magnetic and oppositely attached to flaps ofa garment to hold the flaps together. However, the parts are both simpledisc shaped members, there is no decorative component, and there is nodisclosure of a capability thereof for retaining the shape and/oralignment of a shirt collar.

Thus, what is sought is a method comprising magnetic attraction ofopposing magnets and an apparatus comprising a decorative collar linkassembly adapted for keeping a shirt collar in a particular desiredalignment with a shirt front or other reference, and secured to theshirt front, and which overcomes one or more of the shortcomings andlimitations discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for keeping a shirt collar aligned and secured,magnetically, with a decorative collar link assembly, which overcomesone or more of the shortcomings and limitations discussed above.

A decorative collar link assembly for the outside of a shirt collarcomprising a decorative cap coupled to a single base magnet. Thedecorative collar link assembly is positioned on the outside surface ofthe shirt collar. The decorative cap can be any size, shape, finish, ordesign and any material such as metal, plastic, composite, fabric,mineral, rock, jewel, gem, and/or wood. The single base magnet assembledunder the decorative cap forms the outer decorative collar linkassembly. The decorative collar link assembly can be manufactured frommethods including but not limited to adhesives, machining, and/orfabrication. The magnet can be, for instance, but is not limited to, aneodymium magnet of a round or square disc shape, metal plated or coatedwith epoxy or plastic. The decorative collar link assembly is positionedagainst the outside surface of the front of a shirt collar. An opposingsingle magnet is placed under the inside surface of the shirt materialand aligned opposite the decorative collar link assembly positioned atthe outside front surface of the collar. The single magnet can be, forinstance, but is not limited to, a neodymium magnet of a round or squaredisc shape, metal plated or coated with epoxy or plastic. The magnetshave sufficient magnetic power for magnetically attracting and attachingor coupling to one another and holding the decorative collar linkassembly in a desired position and orientation in relation to the magnetplacement, and thus to the front of the shirt, through at least onelayer of shirt fabric, for securing the shirt collar against the shirtfront, in a desired position and orientation. The magnets can have adisk shape, or alternatively any shape or thickness suitable for theapparatus. The decorative collar link cap surface can be any suitablesize or shape of design pattern, insignia, logo, emblem, or finish thatwould be typically construed as visually appealing and thereby add tothe fashionable sense of the aligned and magnetically secured shirtcollar. A suitable range of thickness for each magnet is suggested as,but not limited to, ⅛ to ¼ inch, or from about 0.3 to 0.6 cm. If a rounddisc magnet is used a suitable range of diameter is suggested as, butnot limited to, ⅜ to ½ inch, or from about 0.9 to 1.2 cm. If a squaredisc magnet is used a suitable range of length is suggested as, but notlimited to ⅜ to ½ inch, or from about 0.9 to 1.2 cm. The magneticattractive forces will secure the decorative collar link assembly, andthus the collar, in the desired position and orientation, in oppositionto normal forces that are anticipated to be exerted there against, forinstance as a person wearing the shirt turns his or her neck, under atypical human range of motions.

According to still another preferred aspect of the invention, thefollowing method is used to install the decorative link collar assembly;

-   -   1. Position a single disc magnet to the inside shirt surface in        an approximate location under the shirt collar and aligned        opposite the final desired location of the outside decorative        collar link assembly;    -   2. Position a decorative collar link assembly, with the magnet        side facing the outside shirt surface, against the outside front        surface of the shirt collar aligned at a location directly        opposite a single disc magnet that was positioned inside the        shirt surface in the preceding step;    -   3. Allowing the magnetic forces of the opposing magnets to        attract one another, attach or secure a decorative collar link        assembly to the outside surface of the shirt collar opposite a        single disc magnet located on the inside surface of the shirt;    -   4. Simultaneously adjust the location of a decorative collar        link assembly with the inside single magnet so as to position        the apparatus to the desired final location on the outside        surface of the shirt collar and the inside surface of the shirt;        and,    -   5. Repeat steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the alternate side of a shirt        collar such that both sides of a shirt collar are visually        aligned creating an appealing relatively symmetrical appearance        with both left and right sides of the shirt collar secured in        place with a respective decorative collar link assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a decorative collar linkassembly of the invention as assembled and attached to a front surfaceof a shirt collar showing the collar folded down and secured in adesired position and alignment by an opposing magnet of the invention,hidden from view placed under the inside surface of the shirt;

FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of a decorative collar linkassembly of the invention showing one embodiment of a decorative collarlink cap coupled with one embodiment of a single base magnet, shown indotted lines.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 showing oneembodiment of a decorative collar link assembly of the invention showingone embodiment of a decorative collar link cap coupled with oneembodiment of a single base magnet, shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a single disc magnet,to be positioned under the inside surface of a shirt aligned directlyopposite a decorative collar link assembly positioned on the outsidefront surface of a shirt collar.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a shirt, showing one embodiment of adecorative collar link assembly of the invention, shown in dotted lines,positioned on the outside surface of a folded up shirt collar, and oneembodiment of a single magnet, shown in dotted lines, positioned againstan inside surface of a shirt front. FIG. 5 illustrates one positioningof a decorative collar link assembly for magnetically securing adecorative collar link assembly and a shirt collar in a desired positionand alignment in relation to a shirt front;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a shirt showing one embodiment of a decorativecollar link assembly of the invention secured on a collar of a shirt,and illustrating use of a single magnet, hidden under a shirt and shownin dotted lines, in connection with one desired location along a shirtcollar; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view through a shirt front and collar showing oneembodiment of a decorative collar link assembly of the invention locatedon the outside surface of a shirt collar, and illustrating the locationof one embodiment of a single magnet on the inside surface of a shirt,aligned opposite one embodiment of a decorative collar link assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate various embodiments ofapparatus of the invention, required for practice of methods of theinvention. More particularly, FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of adecorative collar link assembly 20 of the invention, positioned in onelocation on the outside surface of a shirt collar 32 of a shirt 34.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a decorative collarlink assembly 20 of the invention comprising one embodiment of adecorative cap 21 assembled with one embodiment of a single base magnet22, shown with dotted lines. The decorative cap 21 can be comprised ofany size, shape, finish, or design and any material such as, but notlimited to, metal, plastic, composite, fabric, rock, mineral, jewel,gem, and/or wood. The single base magnet 22 assembled under thedecorative cap 21 forms the decorative collar link assembly 20positioned on the outside surface of a shirt collar 32 of a shirt 34.The magnet 22 can be comprised of, for instance, but is not limited to,a neodymium magnet of a round or square disc shape, metal plated orcoated with epoxy or plastic.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 showingone embodiment of a decorative collar link assembly 20 of the inventioncomprising one embodiment of a decorative cap 21 assembled with oneembodiment of a single base magnet 22. The decorative cap 21 can becomprised of any size, shape, finish, or design and any material such asmetal, plastic, composite, fabric, rock, mineral, jewel, gem, and/orwood. The single base magnet 22 assembled under the decorative cap 21forms the decorative collar link assembly 20 positioned on the outsidesurface of a shirt collar 32 of a shirt 34. The magnet 22 can becomprised of, for instance, but is not limited to, a neodymium magnet ofa round or square disc shape, metal plated or coated with epoxy orplastic.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a singlemagnet 30 of the invention, which can be comprised of a suitablecommercially available magnetic material, such as, but not limited to, aneodymium magnetic material, suitable for magnetically attaching to andholding a decorative collar link assembly 20 through one or severallayers of a typical shirt fabric, such as a cotton, wool, syntheticmaterial, or blend of any of these, in a desired position andorientation. The magnet 30 can be comprised of, for instance, but is notlimited to, a neodymium magnet of a round or square disc shape, metalplated or coated with epoxy or plastic.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate aspects of steps of methods of the inventionfor using one embodiment of a decorative collar link assembly 20, shownin dotted lines, and one embodiment of a single magnet 30, also shown indotted lines, with a shirt collar 32 of a shirt 34, for securing theshirt collar 32 in a desired position and orientation in relation to ashirt front 36. Essentially, after a shirt collar 32 is folded downagainst a shirt front 36, a decorative collar link assembly 20 ispositioned against an outer shirt collar surface 38 of shirt collar 32,in the general vicinity of shirt collar point 40. Single magnet 30, ispositioned against the inside surface of a shirt 34, aligned directlyopposite decorative collar link assembly 20. When a decorative collarlink assembly 20 is simultaneously pushed against the front surface 36of a shirt 34 and a shirt collar 32 and a single magnet 30 positionedagainst the inside surface of shirt 34, the magnetic force attraction ofthe magnet 22 in a decorative collar link assembly 20 will bemagnetically attracted to the single magnet 30 and the shirt collar 32will be secured in place against the outer surface 38 of the shirt front36. A decorative collar link assembly 20 can be repositioned to anydesirable location along the outer surface 38 of a shirt collar 32 bysimultaneously maneuvering a decorative collar link assembly 20 and asingle magnet 30 at the same time, making sure that the two opposingmagnets, 22 and 30, remain aligned so as not to break the magneticattraction between the two opposing magnets, 22 and 30. Re-aligning adecorative collar link assembly 20 and single magnet 30 will allow ashirt collar 32 to be magnetically secured in place in a desirableposition against the outer surface 38 of a shirt front 36.

The above steps are then repeated for the other collar 32 of shirt 34such that each of two positioned decorative collar link assemblies arevisually aligned with one another, with one decorative collar linkassembly 20 on each opposing collar 32 of shirt 34. Here, it should benoted that a decorative collar link assembly 20 strategically placed onthe outside surface 38 of a shirt collar 32 is intended to maintain ashirt collar 32 strategically in place against a shirt front 36 and bevisually apparent, thereby providing an added fashionable sense that iscosmetically appealing. The magnetic attraction between oppositelyaligned magnet 30 and magnet 22 of a collar link assembly 20 will besufficient to secure the shirt collar 32 in the desired position andorientation in relation to the shirt front 36.

Referring also to FIG. 7 is a side view of one embodiment of adecorative collar link assembly 20 attached to a shirt 34 and shirtcollar 32. A shirt collar 32 of a shirt 34 is shown held in placeagainst a shirt front 36 by a decorative collar link assembly 20 and asingle magnet 30 of the invention. The decorative collar link assembly20 is comprised of the decorative cap 21 of any material, size, shape,finish, or design and base magnet 22.

As should be apparent from the disclosure above, the various embodimentsof a decorative collar link assembly and magnets of the invention can beused in combination to achieve a desired retention and positioning of ashirt collar in relation to a shirt front, including the angularorientation of the collar in relation thereto, with the decorativecollar link assembly apparatus used for the same being visible orapparent to persons observing the shirt. The various decorative collarlink assemblies can optionally be positioned to different locations onthe collar to some extent by hand, to achieve a desired appearance, forinstance, for different fashion purposes. Thus, for example, a collarcould be positioned and retained by the present apparatus in a widelyspread manner, for a more contemporary look, or positioned closer to theneck of a shirt, for a more traditional look.

Thus, there has been shown and described a novel method and apparatusfor keeping a shirt collar aligned and secured, magnetically, whichovercomes many of the problems set forth above. It will be apparent,however, to those familiar in the art, that many changes, variations,modifications, and other uses and applications for the subject deviceare possible. All such changes, variations, modifications, and otheruses and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limitedonly by the claims which follow.

1. An apparatus for magnetically securing a shirt collar in a positionand orientation on a shirt front, comprising in combination: adecorative collar link assembly comprising in combination a decorativecap and a single base magnet positional against an outside surface of ashirt collar; and a single magnet positionable against an inside surfaceof a shirt front opposite a shirt collar thereof and operable formagnetic attachment to the decorative collar link assembly through theshirt front and shirt collar, for securing a shirt collar to which thedecorative collar link assembly is secured in place, against the shirtcollar.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet in thedecorative collar link assembly placed on the outside of the shirtcollar, and the single magnet placed against the inside surface of theshirt, include suitable magnetic attraction through the shirt collar andshirt material for substantially limiting relative movements thereofwhen magnetically attached against the shirt collar.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, comprising magnets made from, but not limited to, neodymium. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising magnets of, but not limited to,round or square disc shapes.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprisingmagnets with, but not limited to, a metal plating or coating of plasticor epoxy.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a decorative cap ofthe decorative collar link assembly made from, but not limited to, anycommon material of metal, plastic, composite, fabric, jewel, gem, rock,mineral, and/or wood.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising adecorative cap of the decorative collar link assembly including, but notlimited to, any size, shape, finish, or design.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, comprising a decorative cap of the decorative collar linkassembly including, but not limited to, any emblem, insignia, symbol,team logo, or company logo.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising adecorative cap and a single magnet of the decorative collar linkassembly wherein the assembly is manufactured from methods including butnot limited to adhesives, machining, and/or fabrication.
 10. A methodfor attaching a shirt collar to a shirt front, comprising steps of:providing a decorative collar link assembly in claim 1 positionable toan outside surface of a shirt collar; and providing a single magnet inclaim 1 positionable against an inside surface of a shirt alignedopposite placement of the decorative collar link assembly; andpositioning the decorative collar link assembly in claim 1, comprisingdecorative cap and base magnet, against the outside surface of a shirtcollar thereof aligned opposite the single magnet in claim 1 positionedagainst the inside surface of the shirt; and bringing the decorativecollar link assembly in claim 1 positioned against the outside surfaceof the shirt collar into proximity with the single magnet in claim 1positioned against the inside surface of the shirt thereof formagnetically attaching the decorative collar link assembly to the singlemagnet through the shirt collar and the shirt material.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the decorative collar link assembly is positionedto secure the shirt collar against the outside surface of the shirtfront.
 12. The method of claim 10, comprising magnets made from, but notlimited to, neodymium.
 13. The method of claim 10, comprising magnetsof, but not limited to, round or square disc shapes.
 14. The method ofclaim 10, comprising magnets with, but not limited to, a metal platingor coating of plastic or epoxy.
 15. The method of claim 10, comprising adecorative cap of the decorative collar link assembly made from, but notlimited to, any common material of metal, plastic, composite, fabric,jewel, gem, rock, mineral, and/or wood.
 16. The method of claim 10,comprising a decorative cap of the decorative collar link assemblyincluding, but not limited to, any size, shape, finish, or design. 17.The method of claim 10, comprising a decorative cap of the decorativecollar link assembly including, but not limited to, any emblem,insignia, symbol, team logo, or company logo.
 18. The method of claim10, comprising a decorative cap and a single magnet of the decorativecollar link assembly wherein the assembly is manufactured from methodsincluding, but not limited to, adhesives, machining, and/or fabrication.